Oro Valley United Church of Christ Choir

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Oro Valley United Church Of Christ Choir

The ORO VALLEY UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST choir is a group of volunteer singers who present special music during Sunday worship and on special occasions, such as Christmas and Easter. The choir's music varies in style, but it always carries a message tied to the lectionary readings of the week. The choir's season runs from September through May. Often during the summer, small groups or individual choir members perform special vocal or instrumental music. Choir practice is from 7:00 P.M to 8:00 P.M. on Wednesday evenings.

Future plans for the Choir include the continuation of the traditional Christmas Festival of Lessons and Carols, and the Easter Cantata, as well as the patriotic "Battle Hymn of the Republic." Other collaborative music efforts for Holy Week are in the works, and as always, our soloist plans a diverse and eclectic variety of choral anthems and arrangements. Guest musicians, instrumentalists and other musical collaborations reinforce and enrich the Oro Valley United Church Of Christ worship experience.

Newcomers are always welcome to sing with our choir.

Can you carry a tune?

Do you enjoy singing in a group?

Are you looking to sing with a choir?

Come and sing with us!

Matt Rinaldi hails from the beautiful Green Mountains of Vermont. Matt received his Bachelor's of Music and Master's of Music degrees in Trumpet Performance with a Conducting and Theory Concentration from the University of Arizona. Matt has a rich vocal background, performing and conducting classically in church choirs throughout his life, and for likes of the late Pope John Paul II. Matt is currently principal trumpet with Trio Capriccio and The Rinaldi Jazz Duo. Matt is also a private trumpet teacher and an Adjunct Professor of Music at Pima Community College.

Choir traditions

Christmas Program

With the coming of every Advent Season, the choir starts preparing a special program which is presented during a Sunday Service in December. This is the highlight of our year and the Choir has grown up to 30 members for this occasion. We give voice to the events leading to the Birth of Christ, in the midst of Christmas decorations and a festive atmosphere. Soloists, small groups, instrumental music and other combinations of musical numbers are always included.

Easter Program

Easter is a joyous time for The Oro Valley United Church Of Christ Choir. On Easter Sunday, we present a triumphant musical selection celebrating Christ's Resurrection. There are always trumpets and other brass instruments involved as well.

Battle Hymn of the Republic

It has become a tradition to close our season of singing with a patriotic rendition of the Battle Hymn of the Republic. Dave Bevirt introduced the choir to his arrangement of: "This Is My Country" and "Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!" With snare drum and flute heard by all, the Oro Valley United Church Of Christ Choir sings this piece on Memorial Day Weekend.

Choir History

The Oro Valley United Church Of Christ Choir has been in existence since the birth of our congregation in 1992. Early rehearsals were held at Trudy Tamary's house in Copper Creek. In those years, choir directors included Cheryl Rittenbaugh, Amelia Flora and Betty Little. Cheryl was a founding member of the church, and was known to have conducted our first Easter rehearsal in the Sun City Mint Market parking lot. Jorge Altamirano, a Tucson native who left the area to pursue his dreams in New York City, was a great soloist that sang at Oro Valley United Church Of Christ. Amelia Flora was married at Oro Valley United Church Of Christ. Subsequently she was called to lead our choir. Betty Little came with a vast choral directing experience and led the choir for several years.

A major change came about at the turn of this century, when Dr. Bruce Chamberlain, then University of Arizona Interim Choral Activities Director, came to our church. As a volunteer choir, we learned that it was possible to attain much more ambitious goals if we put our heart, mind and faith into our performances.

Our most recent choir director, Matt Rinaldi, brings his contagious joy and enthusiasm to our choir and congregation. Matt and our music director, Jose Solórzano, are an exceptional pairing.

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